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Phil Spector Arrested in Fatal Shooting

Legendary record producer Phil Spector — responsible for such ’60s hits as “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” and “Da Doo Ron Ron” — was arrested early Monday for investigation of murder after the body of a woman was found at his suburban Los Angeles home, authorities said.

He was released later in the day after posting $1 million bond, said officials.

Investigators said the victim, Los Angeles resident Lana Clarkson, 40, was found in the foyer of Spector’s 10-bedroom, eight-bathroom make-believe castle with the notoriously reclusive producer, 62, nearby, Reuters reports.

The weapon was also recovered and Spector was taken into custody at the scene.

No police explanation was given regarding Clarkson’s relationship with Spector. It is believed that she arrived at the house with Spector in his black Mercedes, which remained parked outside with its the passenger door ajar, police said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Faye Bugarin said officers were called to the Spector residence at 5 a.m. “Alhambra officers responded to a shooting call and discovered a female shot inside of the location,” she said.

“(Clarkson) was pronounced dead at the scene and suspect Phillip Spector was taken into custody and is currently being detained,” Bugarin said at midday Monday.

Representatives for Spector, 62, could not immediately be reached for comment, but several news reports say that he has hired defense attorney Robert Shapiro, who represented O.J. Simpson during his criminal trial. The former gridiron star was found not guilty of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.

Spector, who started as a musician, is famed for his pioneering Wall of Sound technique that featured lush orchestration. He worked with some of the biggest acts in pop music, including the Beatles, the Righteous Brothers, Tina Turner and the Ronettes — the ’60s girl group whose leader, Ronnie Bennett, later married Spector. (They divorced in 1974.)

At the same time, Spector has had a reputation for being a recluse (he’s rarely seen in public and often wears dark sunglasses) and has a history of eccentric — and sometimes purportedly violent — behavior. His last major album was 23 years ago, when he recorded “End of the Century” with the Ramones. During the session, the late bassist Dee Dee Ramone recalled that Spector had pulled a gun on the band.

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